The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Abbeyfeale pipped by the minimum by neighbours
THE halfway point of the Munster Junior leagues came and went last weekend with a near full schedule of games down for decision.
From a local point of view things haven’t exactly been going swimmingly this season as nearly all sides are finding their respective divisions a little hot to handle.
Munster J-League Division 1
WITH Abbeyfeale the only local side strutting their stuff in the J1 division this year all eyes were on them as they headed into the derby game with Newcastle West on Sunday.
This one was always likely to be a classic as these sides and the individuals involved would all be hugely familiar with each other both on and off the pitch.
Newcastle West were the home side in this one and would have fancied their chances of putting the visitors to the sword, but Abbeyfeale have shown they are able for the challenge of the top league.
This one went all the way and really was one of the games of the season so far. Both sides played this one out in a great spirit with nothing left behind from anyone.
The visitors were first to lead when Colm O’Sullivan opened the scoring with the game’s first try. The ever reliable Tom Hassett added the extras to put the underdogs into an early lead.
Newcastle West were never likely to let their opponents get a sizable march on them and responded with a try of their own from Sean Murphy own shortly after.
Abbeyfeale again managed to cross the Newcastle try line, this time it was Adam Roche that did the damage as the leaders headed for the dressing rooms up by 12-5. Class will always rise to the top and that was indeed the case here as soon after the restart Sean Neville touched down twice to put the home side into the lead for the first time. Herlihy assed the extras on both occasions as Abbeyfeale looked to be staring a heavy loss in the face however this Abbeyfeale side are better than that and managed to summon another try up, this time it was John Murphy that did the damage with Hassett levelling things up with just under a half an hour remaining.
Things got even better for the visitors as Kieran McCarthy went in for the bonus point try. Again Hassett split the posts as Abbeyfeale looked to be well on their way to the win.
Unfortunately for Abbeyfeale their hosts are made of sterner stuff than that and they pushed hard for their fourth try, a score they secured when Murphy touched down for his second.
With the game’s result hanging in the balance it was left to Herlihy to beak the Abbeyfeale hearts as he slotted over the match winning kick to end what was an absolutely terrific advertisement for Munster Junior rugby.
Munster J-League Division 2
THERE was less joy for Castleisland last weekend as they went down 36-17 to a Youghal side that have plenty Division 2 promotion credentials this season.
A brace of tries from Alan Frahill O’Connor set the Cork side on their way with Ian Broderick, Stephen Kelly, Killian Daly and Keith McCarthy all touching down to secure the win and the all-important bonus point. McCarthy added to the Kerry side’s pain with three successful conversions.
Shane Flynn, Gearoid Leonard and Willie Casey hit back with tries for Castleisland but that really was as good as it would get for the Kingdom men as they were well beaten on the day. TRALEE continue to falter as they remain bottom of the J2 table with their seventh loss on the bounce. This time it was title chasing Ballicollig that did the damage as they ran out deserving winners by 23-15.
Tries from Podge O’Flynn, Taljaard Hardus and Kevin Ryan secured the win with Charlie Boland adding two penalties and a conversion.
Tralee did have some cheer on the day with tries from Ronan O’Sullivan and Ben O’Neill however not even that brace and O’Neill’s conversion and penalty were enough to take anything from this game.
Munster J-League Division 3
IN the J3 Killorglin continue to impress with Corca Dhuibhne and Killarney also looking to make the break through to the J2.
Corca Dhuibhne entertained Fethard and District in a game that doubled up as a Martin O’Sullivan Cup Tie and despite scoring 27 points they came up 36-27 short against a Fethard side that really were on form.
Tries from Shane Griffin, Michael Breathnach and Ciaran O Coileain as well as three conversions and a brace of penalties from Seamus Moriarty would have taken the spoils on most days however not on this one as Fethard cruised home.
Killarney have seen an improvement of late and credit to the Kerry lads they have managed to keep that going – seeing off Fermoy by 15-12 last weekend.
Killarney have had a poor start to this season’s campaign while Fermoy started well but have seen things slip a little in the last month or so. This was a big game for both sides with the result always likely to be a close call – and that is exactly the way things turned out as Killarney continued their recent revival.
Fermoy led this one by 9-3 at the turn thanks to a hat trick of penalties from Eddie O’Connell. Mike Sheahan was Killarney’s man on target.
Killarney upped the ante after the break with a brace of tries from Paul O’Sullivan with Sheahan adding the extras. Fermoy were unable to cross the Killarney try line and had just one more penalty from O’Connell to show for their second half efforts. FIXTURES SUNDAY DECEMBER 11 at 2pm Munster Junior Cup Killarney v Bruff Killorglin v Midleton